Yttrium thiocyanate-based supramolecular architectures: Synthesis, crystal structures, and thermal properties

The reaction of [Y(H₂O)₅(NCS)₃]·H₂O (1) with crown ether (18-crown-6) and KNCS in methanol afforded the complexes [Y(H₂O)₄(NCS)₃]·1.5(18-crown-6) (2) and [K(18-crown-6)(H₂O)_1.25]_2n{[K(18-crown-6)]₂[Y(NCS)₆]}_n·n(NCS) (3). In mononuclear complex 1, yttrium has a coordination number 8 and forms the coordination unit YO₅N₃. Complexes 1 are linked by hydrogen bonds to form a framework. The crystal structure of 2 contains the centrosymmetric ensembles [Y(H₂O)₄(NCS)₃]₂(18-crown-6)₃ formed via hydrogen bonds. In the crystal structure of 3, the [Y(NCS)₆]³⁻ anions and the [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ cations form one-dimensional polymeric chains (-Y-NCS-K-)_n. The thermal behavior of compounds 1 and 2 was investigated. It was shown that the supramolecular assembly has an effect on the temperature range for the removal of coordinated water molecules from the thiocyanate complex. The oxidative decomposition of the acido ligands in 1 and 2 occurs in a similar way to give Y₂O₂SO₄ as the final product (700 °С).     

Chiral supramolecular metal-organic architectures from dinuclear copper complexes

Two new chiral dinuclear Cu(II) complexes [Cu₂(μ-Cl)₂(HL¹)₂] · C₂H₅OH (1) and [Cu₂(μ-Cl)₂(HL²)₂] · CH₃OH (2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized, where the chiral ligands H₂L¹ and H₂L² are derived from the chiral amino alcohols (S)-(−)-2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol and (S)-(+)-2-phenylglycinol. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed that in these complexes, the dominant hydrogen bonding property of metal bound chloride anion directs the self assembly of complex molecules through C–H···Cl hydrogen bonding interactions leading to the formation of intriguing hydrogen bonded metallo-supramolecular architectures in their respective crystal lattices. The supramolecular systems described here belong to the rare class of metal-organic architectures that are formed as a result of metal directed hydrogen bonding interactions among chiral complex molecules. Complexes 1 and 2 are further characterized by IR, ESR, UV–Vis and CD spectroscopy.     

A new 3D supramolecular Zn(II) compound: Crystal structure and important role in treatment of pulpitis

An innovative thermostable 2-D layered Zn(II) compound, chemical terms are written as [Zn(3-pysa)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (1, 3-Hpysa = 3-pyridinesulfonic acid), has been generated from the solvothermal reactions of 3-Hpysa and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Its single crystal analysis was implemented via the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis together with the powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal framework is of monoclinic P2₁/n space group and its crystal cell figures: a = 7.7499(5), b = 10.9923(6), c = 8.3430(5) Å, α = 90, β = 96.924(6), γ = 90°, V = 705.55(7) ų, Z = 4. The 2D layers were finally combined to a 3-D supramolecular conformation through intermolecular H-bonds existing between coordinated H₂O molecules and sulfonate oxygen atoms from adjacent layer. Its practical role in pulpitis treatment was estimated and the relevant mechanism was studied in the meantime.     

光催化固氮:人工光合成的新途径（英文）

氨不仅是一种广泛使用的化工原料,还可用作重要的能源载体.哈伯法合成氨被认为是20世纪最伟大的发明之一,为人类社会的发展做出了巨大贡献.同时,氨合成过程每年需要消耗世界总能源的1%–2%.因此,开发绿色清洁的氨合成方法一直是世界范围内工业界和学术界关注的热点.随着人工光合成太阳燃料研究的蓬勃发展,利用太阳能光催化的方式实现在温和条件下合成氨吸引了越来越多研究者的兴趣,因为这是一条最为理想的能源利用途径,即直接利用太阳能将氮气和水转化为氨.近期,该研究领域涌现了一系列有代表性的研究工作,报道了利用半导体光催化剂实现太阳能到氨的转化,虽然整体效率仍很低,但是已经证明了利用太阳能直接将氮气转化为氨的可能性.光催化合成氨过程中,最具挑战的是氮气分子在半导体光催化剂表面的吸附和活化.研究表明,通过在半导体光催化剂表面引入空位或者缺陷可有效地增加氮气的吸附,且很可能成为氮气分子活化并参与反应的活性中心.此外,借鉴自然界豆类植物固氮酶的独特结构,利用其对于氮气分子高效活化的独特优势,构建自然-人工杂化体系也是提升氮气吸附与活化的有效策略之一.本综述将从合成氨过程中氮气的吸附与活化问题入手,分别从缺陷与空位调控和固氮酶两个方面的策略考虑,结合几个典型的光催化剂体系(如卤氧化铋,二氧化钛及水滑石等)作为示例,介绍空位调控与模拟固氮酶策略对太阳能光催化固氮的影响并分析其可能的机理.虽然人工光合成固氮研究取得了一些进展,但是目前效率太低,亟需从基础科学问题的认识和理解上有新的突破,如氮气分子的吸附与活化微观过程、空位可控调变策略、新型光催化剂的开发与表界面修饰、氨氧化逆反应的抑制策略及精确的理论模拟指导人工光合成固氮体系的构建等.最后,对人工光合成固氮研究方向面临的挑战和未来的发展方向进行了总结与展望.     

Tailor-made naphthyridines: Self-assembling multiple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular architectures from dimer to helix

Stepwise changes of functional oxo and amino groups in 1,8-naphthyridines to modify the supramolecular architecture have been carried out. The first example of a naphthyridine helix has been found and its structure established by X-ray crystallography. The design is based on hydroxy and amido tautomeric naphthyridines which crystallize in dimers or catemers, one of them attaining helicity. The most stable tautomer present in all the compounds discussed in this paper, as well as the formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers or catemers, was established by X-ray crystallography and rationalized with theoretical calculations.     

Emerging approach in semiconductor photocatalysis: Towards 3D architectures for efficient solar fuels generation in semi-artificial photosynthetic systems

Interest in the application of semiconductors toward the photocatalytic generation of solar fuels, including hydrogen from water-splitting and hydrocarbons from the reduction of carbon dioxide, remains strong due to concerns over the continued emission of greenhouse gases as well as other environmental impacts from the use of fossil fuels. While the efficiency and durability of such systems will depend heavily on the types of the semiconductors, co-catalysts, and mediators employed, the dimensionality of the semiconductors employed can also have a significant impact. Recognizing the broad nature of this field and the many recent advances in it, this review focuses on the emerging approaches from 0-dimensional (0D) to 3-dimensional (3D) semiconductor photocatalysts towards efficient solar fuels generation. We place particular emphasis on systems that are “semi-artificial”, that is, hybrid systems that integrate naturally occurring enzymes or whole cells with semiconductor components that harvest light energy. The semiconductors in these systems must have suitable interfacial properties for immobilization of enzymes to be effective photocatalysts. These requirements are particularly sensitive to surface structures and morphology, making the semiconductor dimensionality a critical factor. In addition to providing an overview of advances towards designing 3D architecture in semi-artificial photosynthetic field, we also present recent advances in fabrication strategies for 3D inorganic photocatalysts.     

Characterisation of the photocatalyst Pilkington Activ™: a reference film photocatalyst?

Pilkington Glass Activ™ represents a possible suitable successor to P25 TiO₂, especially as a benchmark photocatalyst film for comparing other photocatalyst or PSH self-cleaning films. Activ™ is a glass product with a clear, colourless, effectively invisible, photocatalytic coating of titania that also exhibits PSH. Although not as active as a film of P25 TiO₂, Activ™ vastly superior mechanical stability, very reproducible activity and widespread commercial availability makes it highly attractive as a reference photocatalytic film. The photocatalytic and photo-induced superhydrophilitic (PSH) properties of Activ™ are studied in some detail and the results reported. Thus, the kinetics of stearic acid destruction (a 10⁴ electron process) are zero order over the stearic acid range 4–129 monolayers and exhibit formal quantum efficiencies (FQE) of 0.7×10⁻⁵ and 10.2×10⁻⁵ molecules per photon when irradiated with light of 365±20 and 254 nm, respectively; the latter appears also to be the quantum yield for Activ™ at 254 nm. The kinetics of stearic acid destruction exhibit Langmuir–Hinshelwood-like saturation type kinetics as a function of oxygen partial pressure, with no destruction occurring in the absence of oxygen and the rate of destruction appearing the same in air and oxygen atmospheres. Further kinetic work revealed a Langmuir adsorption type constant for oxygen of 0.45±0.16 kPa⁻¹ and an activation energy of 19±1 kJ mol⁻¹. A study of the PSH properties of Activ™ reveals a high water contact angle (67°) before ultra-bandgap irradiation reduced to 0° after prolonged irradiation. The kinetics of PSH are similar to those reported by others for sol–gel films using a low level of UV light. The kinetics of contact angle recovery in the dark appear monophasic and different to the biphasic kinetics reported recently by others for sol–gel films [J. Phys. Chem. B 107 (2003) 1028]. Overall, Activ™ appears a very suitable reference material for semiconductor film photocatalysis.     

Mechanism of N-octadecyl-N'-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine self-assembled into supramolecular structures

N-Octadecyl-N'-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine (ODMA-L-Phe) was synthesized through the condensation, deprotection and aeid-ylation reaction of BOC-L-phenylalanine, octadecylamine and maleic anhydride. ODMA-L-Phe can self-assemble in some organic solvents and turned them into thermally reversible physical supramolecular organogels. The morphology of ODMA-L-Phe aggregates was characterized by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The aggregates of ODMA-L-Phe were needle-like fibrils with diameters of approximately 100-200 nm. The mechanism of ODMA-L-Phe self-assembly in organic solvents was investigated using 1H NMR and circular dichroism (CD). The results indicated that hydrogen bonding was one of the main driving forces for the self-assembly of ODMA-L-Phe.     

Photochemical hydrogen production catalyzed by polypyridyl ruthenium-cobaloxime heterobinuclear complexes with different bridges

Two heterobinuclear complexes [(bpy)₂Ru(bpy-4-CH₃,4′-CONH(4-py)Co(dmgBF₂)₂(OH₂)](PF₆)₂ (1, dmgBF₂ = (difluoroboryl)dimethylglyoximato) and [(bpy)₂Ru(bpy-4-CH₃,4′-CONHCH₂(4-py)Co(dmgBF₂)₂(OH₂)](PF₆)₂ (2) were prepared, in which the polypyridyl ruthenium photosensitizer and the cobaloxime catalyst are connected either by a conjugated bridge (1) or by an unconjugated one (2). Complexes 1 and 2 were used as photocatalysts for hydrogen generation. Under optimal conditions, the turnover numbers (ton) for hydrogen evolution were 38 for 1 and 48 for 2 in the presence of 300 equiv of both Et₃N and [Et₃NH][BF₄] in the acetone solution during an 8-h irradiation of visible light (λ > ca. 400 nm). The complex 2 with an unconjugated bridge proved to be more efficient for photochemical hydrogen generation than the complex 1 with a conjugated bridge under the same reaction condition.     

Variation in crystalline architectures through supramolecular interactions in copper(II) complexes with tridentate N2O donor Schiff bases

Three copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹)(H₂O)(ClO₄)]·0.5H₂O (1), [Cu(L²)(H₂O)(ClO₄)]·0.5H₂O (2), and [Cu(L²)(NCNC(OCH₃)NH₂)]ClO₄ (3), where HL¹ = 4-bromo-2-(-(quinolin-8-ylimino)methyl)phenol and HL² = 1-(-(quinolin-8-ylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The copper(II) centers assume five-coordinate square-pyramidal geometries in 1 and 2, whereas square planar copper(II) is present in 3. A methanol molecule has been inserted in the pendant end of the ligated dicyanamide in 3. Various supramolecular architectures are formed by hydrogen bonding, π?π, C–H?π, and lp?π interactions.     

Artificial and Semi-artificial Photosynthesis (AP and SAP) Systems Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks

Recently, artificial and semi-artificial photosynthesis have attracted extensive attentions in addressing the crisis of energy from fossil fuels and reducing excessive CO₂ emission. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered as ideal platforms for constructing artificial photosynthesis systems due to their unique properties like large specific surface area, high porosity and diverse framework topology, and tunable functionalities. This review discussed the characteristics, superiorities and challenges of MOF-based photocatalysts, and detailed summarization of several common design strategies for MOF-based artificial systems, including i) enhancement of light absorption, ii) acceleration of the charge separation and transfer, and iii) introduction of additional active units. Particularly, we give examples showing the applications of MOF-based photocatalysts, where the mechanisms of superior photocatalytic activity and selectivity are also analyzed, thereby providing theoretical guidance for rational design of MOF-based photocatalysts. Finally, the challenges and future research directions of MOF-based photocatalysts are prospected.     

Our expedition in the construction of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles

This review summarized our efforts in the development of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles.     

Mechanism of N-octadecyl-N1-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine self-assembled into supramolecular structures

N-Octadecyl-N1-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine （ODMA-L-Phe） was synthesized through the condensation, deprotection and acid- ylation reaction of BOC-L-phenylalanine, octadecylamine and maleic anhydride. ODMA-L-Phe can self-assemble in some organic solvents and turned them into thermally reversible physical supramolecular organogels. The morphology of ODMA-L-Phe aggregates was characterized by polarized optical microscopy （POM） and field emission scanning electron microscope （FE-SEM）. The aggregates of ODMA-L-Phe were needle-like fibrils with diameters of approximately 100-200 nm. The mechanism of ODMA- L-Phe self-assembly in organic solvents was investigated using XH NMR and circular dichroism （CD）. The results indicated that hydrogen bonding was one of the main driving forces for the self-assembly of ODMA-L-Phe.     

Recent progress in supramolecular chiral photochemistry

Chiral photochemistry appears to be a highly challenging topic and still very much in its infancy, especially if comparing to its well-developed thermochemical counterpart.Significant efforts have been devoted in order to improve stereoselectivity of chiral photoreactions,among which,the supramolecular strategy proven the most promising.The present review,motivated by the rapid progress in the supramolecular chiral photochemistry,concentrates on advancements achieved mainly in the last decade.The features and advantages of supramolecular chiral photochemistry are exemplified by representative photoreactions in terms of the chiral hosts/assemblies.     

Noncovalent synthesis of supramolecular dendritic architectures in water

Water‐soluble guest–host complexes are prepared in a two‐step process. For this a new, polydisperse ethylene glycol containing guest molecule is synthesized that is soluble in both chloroform and water. This guest is able to bind to urea–adamantyl‐modified poly(propylene imine) dendrimers in chloroform in a noncovalent manner. When the chloroform is slowly evaporated and D₂O is added, the hydrophobic dendrimer is solubilized in water. This is not possible when the hydrophobic dendrimer is directly added to the hydrophilic guests in water. When the unmodified poly(ethylene glycol) starting material is used, no solubilization occurs, and this indicates that the urea–acetic acid head group is necessary to solubilize the dendrimer. Approximately 26 guests are required for solubilization of the dendrimer. A lower number of guests results in aggregation and precipitation of the dendrimer. A monodisperse guest molecule has been used in NMR studies to show that the guest molecule binds with its acidic head group to the periphery of the dendrimer. This methodology opens the way to functional dendrimer aggregates in aqueous media. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6431–6437, 2005     

Crystal and supramolecular structures of dioxomolybdenum(VI) and dioxotungsten(VI) complexes of dihydroxybenzoic acids

The tetramethylammonium salts (NMe₄)₂[MO₂(2,3-Hdhb)₂]·2H₂O and (NMe₄)₂[MO₂(3,4-Hdhb)₂]·6H₂O (M = Mo, W; Hdhb = monoprotonated form of 2,3- or 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-H₃dhb or 3,4-H₃dhb) were prepared and their crystal structures determined. The structure of [Mg(H₂O)₆](NMe₄)₄[MoO₂(3,4-dhb)(3,4-Hdhb)]₂·13H₂O, obtained by the recrystallization of (NMe₄)₂[MoO₂(3,4-Hdhb)₂] in the presence of magnesium ions, is also reported. The supramolecular interactions of the five structures are discussed in detail concerning the hydrogen bonding patterns involving complexes and water molecules of crystallization.     

Structural characterization of modular supramolecular architectures in solution

Structures of modular supramolecular architectures consisting of a hexameric, diphenylethyne-linked porphyrin macrocyclic array and the corresponding host-guest complex formed by inclusion of a tripyridyl guest molecule were characterized in solution using high-angle X-ray scattering. Scattering measurements made to 6 A resolution coupled with pair distance function (PDF) analyses demonstrated that (1) the porphyrin architectures are not rigid but are distributed across a conformational ensemble with a mean diameter that is 1.5 A shorter than the diameter of a symmetric, energy-minimized model structure, (2) the conformational envelope has limits of 3 A positional dispersion and full rotational freedom for all six porphyrin groups, and (3) insertion of the tripyridyl guest molecule expands the diameter of the host conformer by 0.6 A and decreases the configurational dispersion by approximately 2-fold. These results validate the molecular design, provide a new measure of conformational ensembles in solution that cannot be obtained by other techniques, and establish a structural basis for understanding the photophysical and guest-hosting functions of the hexameric porphyrin architectures in liquids.